A GROUP of master’s civil engineering students has started a petition to reopen Edinburgh’s South Suburban Railway as an extension of the Edinburgh Tram network.
The Heriot-Watt post-graduates have drafted a proposal concerning the “South Sub”, which closed to passengers in 1962 and still exists as a freight line.
After months of meticulous research, the group, called The South Sub Team, has launched a petition to gain public support on the proposal, which is available to view on the group’s Facebook page.
The proposed tram-train line will connect areas such as Gorgie, Morningside, Niddrie, and the south of Edinburgh.
The existing route crosses through the city, avoiding the city centre whilst passing several shopping, education and residential areas.
The line, which opened in 1884, is maintained by Network Rail Scotland and could potentially be used by Edinburgh Trams that travel to Haymarket, Newhaven, and Edinburgh Airport.
The South Sub Team has pointed out that Edinburgh South is one of only six Scottish UK Parliament Constituencies without a railway station, which means residents are often forced to travel by extended bus connections or by car.
The UK’s first tram-trains started operating in Sheffield in 2018 and a similar system is being commissioned currently in Cardiff.
The South Sub Team state that “Edinburgh’s South Suburban communities are being left behind due to poor transport links, with 38% of households lacking access to a car.”
They also point out that Edinburgh is “the UK’s 5th most congested city, Edinburgh’s congestion costs drivers 53 hours annually and worsens air quality, deepening inequalities and hindering growth”.
By building on the existing lines, the extension could be a cost-effective, low-carbon solution to the travel issues faced in the south.
It will involve an interchange at Cameron Toll, while the second phase will see tram-trains extended to Leith via Seafield on the disused Leith Branch Railway.
The petition to “Reopen Edinburgh’s South Sub using Tram-Trains” began last week and already has 748 signatures, with over 600 people signing just today.
Locals have praised the initiative, with one saying: “It’s the obvious thing to do and had been talked about continuously for well over a decade. Just do it.”
While another stated: “Better public transport is good for individual wellbeing, for businesses, for other transport options and for the urban environment generally.”
A third recommended: “It would work better than destroying a cycle path used 24/7 with cyclists, pedestrians.
“The infrastructure is there, no need for destruction or disabling road users for doing works.”
Corey Boyle, one of six members of The South Sub Team said today: “We have engaged with industry experts and stakeholders who confirm that our proposal is technically feasible.
“Local politicians have also expressed strong support, with further discussions planned.
“Our priority is to secure a new feasibility study to assess the use of tram-trains on the South Sub, an option not previously considered.
“Edinburgh is one of the UK’s most congested cities, with drivers on average losing over 50 hours annually to congestion.
“As Scotland’s fastest-growing region, the city needs enhanced mass transit.
“Reopening the South Sub using tram-trains would provide a cost-effective alternative to car use, helping to ease congestion and support Edinburgh’s target of reducing car journeys by 30% by 2030.
“Industry analysis and previous studies have definitively ruled out reopening the South Sub with train services due to high costs and capacity constraints at Waverley and Haymarket.
“Our approach addresses these challenges by linking to the Edinburgh Tram network at Murrayfield, while making use of existing infrastructure, significantly reducing costs compared to past and future tram projects.
“At Murrayfield, the proposal includes two branches: one via a flyover across the Edinburgh-Glasgow mainline towards the airport and another passing under the Roseburn Rail Bridge to connect with the Murrayfield Stadium stop towards the city centre.
“At Portobello, a short on-street section along Sir Harry Lauder Road would avoid crossing the East Coast Mainline.
“Portobello would serve as the initial terminus, with potential for future extensions towards Leith through the Seafield regeneration zone via another disused railway, creating a transit loop around Edinburgh without requiring travel through the city centre.
“The South Sub tram-train would include 11 fully accessible stops, significantly improving access for underserved areas and encouraging investment, similar to the regeneration seen around Leith and Ocean Terminal following the recent tram extension.
“As most construction would take place on existing rail lines, disruption to road traffic would be minimal compared to other major transport projects.
“We will be hosting a public event in March to present further details and welcome all interested parties to attend.”
